Honest Prayer to God: Come to Him Without the Mask.
Psalms 145:17-19
[17] The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. [18] The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. [19] He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
This scripture smacks almost every time I read it. The last part of 18, "to all who call on Him in truth," is particularly smacking.
I apologize for being silly with this. What the Lord points out to me is how silly we must look to Him when He sees us putting on an act. "Our Father who art in heaven..." I can imagine God's disappointed look. Now, obviously, if this is how you pray and you are sincere with it, then that is great; that is between you and God. What the Lord is showing me is that He knows you, and He's not impressed by the performance. If He isn't, then our focus is all wrong.
Our God is present, available, and listens no matter where you are. All He requires of us is to come to Him in truth. Be the real you—no masks, no pretense. He knows your heart! You can't fool Him. Honest prayer to God isn't about sounding better; it's about coming before Him as you truly are.
The things we think make us look or sound better can actually become a barrier that separates us from the closeness with the Lord we desire. Being real with an open and honest heart is how we hear our present and real Heavenly Father. We need to acknowledge that we are completely dependent on God's strength, grace, and help.
He sees you, He loves you, and He wants to help you. Your honesty is like an invitation for the Lord to comfort and help you in whatever you are going through. Despite all of that, it's important to remember that the God we serve is still gracious with us and helps us because His love is rooted in His character, not your perfection. Even more incentive to be real!
His love is a gift that leaves room for our human weaknesses. This builds trust in me, softens my heart, and helps me see that I do not need to hide who I am, even if I am ashamed. Honest prayer to God leaves room for all of it because He already knows what's there.
It will always blow my mind that the everlasting Creator of the universe wants to be so close to me that the slightest whisper or cry is met by the full force of His love. He cares about my problems, my complaints, and my hardships and wants what's best for me, all while loving and caring for each of you the same way.
That kind of love deserves honesty and truth and surrender and, most of all, obedience.
I hope that this causes you to analyze your prayers and the motives behind them. Are you talking to your Heavenly Father, or are you trying to sound like someone talking to your Heavenly Father?
He is worthy.
“I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me.” — C.S. Lewis
Thank you, Father, for one more day. Amen
Psalms 66:16-20
[16] Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. [17] For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. [18] If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. [19] But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. [20] Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.
